Nok Nok Updates S3 Biometrics Suite
Nok Nok Labs, a provider of authentication technologies, has launched an updated version of the Nok Nok S3 Authentication Suite, a unified platform for biometric authentication. The S3 Suite integrates with a wide range of Fast IDentity Online (FIDO) certified authenticators supporting fingerprint biometrics, voice biometrics, face biometrics, iris biometrics, secure elements, trusted platform modules, removable tokens, and more.
This updated version provides improved user/customer engagement, stronger security leveraging the FIDO Universal Authentication Framework (UAF), lower costs associated with authentication, and enhanced privacy.
With this version, Nok Nok Labs offers native support in platforms that include iOS 9 and Android Marshmallow. The Nok Nok S3 Authentication Suite for mobile applications and Web properties, while also providing future-proofing with forward compatibility to future authentication methods that support FIDO specifications.
"With the continued high-profile data breaches and the growing diversity of devices and users that relying parties need to support, the evidence continues to build that mobile authentication must evolve beyond today's password-centric framework," said Phillip Dunkelberger, president and CEO of Nok Nok Labs, in a statement. "As a founding member of the FIDO Alliance, we recognize the demand in the market for a unified solution that allows a more secure, yet simpler experience across heterogeneous devices, services, and operating systems. With this latest release of our Nok Nok S3 Authentication Suite, we are delivering omnichannel authentication that enables organizations to better engage their customers and quickly leverage the latest biometric innovations."
Key features of this latest version of the Nok Nok S3 Authentication Suite include the following:
- Fingerprint-Enabled Strong Authentication: On leading devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 or iOS Touch ID-enabled devices, users only have to touch their fingers to authenticate to FIDO UAF-enabled mobile applications, or to approve Web site requests for out-of-band authentication.
- Out-of-Band Authentication: Users can now leverage the FIDO capabilities they already have on their mobile devices to authenticate logins and transactions initiated on separate devices, such as desktop Web browsers. Users simply need to register their authentication credentials on their mobile devices and then use those credentials when authenticating from any other machines.
- Reduction of Friendly Fraud: To counter unintended fraud on shared devices, the Nok Nok S3 Authentication Suite can ensure that only fingerprints authorized by the primary user or the application can authenticate to an account. This capability introduces policies to address applications requiring higher levels of security.
"ESG sees an emerging trend toward identity consumerization," said Jon Oltsik, senior principal analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group, in a statement. "The market continues to demand authentication that is easier to use, cost-effective, and more secure. Biometrics continues to be a front runner. The S3 Suite from Nok Nok Labs on top of FIDO can address these requirements and, given today's threat landscape, this can help organizations mitigate risk."
The Nok Nok S3 Authentication Suite has already been deployed at NTT DOCOMO, PayPal and Alipay. Further pilots are in progress at major banks, mobile network operators, healthcare solution integrators, and trading networks. The new version of the Nok Nok S3 Authentication Suite is planned for availability before the end of the year.